Vitamins

Question 1

Who first discovered vitamins in 1911?

Answer 1

Casimir Funk, a Biochemist

Question 2

Name the disease that led to Casimir Funk discovering vitamins in 1911. Who did it affect and why?

Answer 2

Beriberi

It affected people (asians) on a diet of primarily white rice. It was caused by a lack of thiamine (via B1)

Question 3

Why were vitamins first known as vitamines?

Answer 3

Because Casimir fink thought all vitamins contained nitrogen (‘amine’ = contains nitrogen). We later discovered that they don’t all contain nitrogen, so the e was dropped.

Question 4

What are vitamers? Give an example.

Answer 4

Vitamers are different chemical forms (each having a slightly different structure of their same molecules) of the same vitamin.

i.e, Niacinamide and nicotinic acid are both forms/vitamers of vitamin B3.

Question 5

Which vitamin was originally called anti-beriberi factor?

Answer 5

Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

Question 6

How many vitamins are there?

Answer 6

13

Question 7

How many vitamins are in the B-complex? Name them

Answer 7

8

Thiamine
Riboflavine
Niacin
Pantothenic acid
Biotin 
B6 
B12
Folate

Question 8

List 5 key functions of vitamins in general.

Answer 8

1. Support the immune system
2. Regulate gene expression
3. Support neurological activity
4. Facilitate ATP production
5. Manufacturing of blood cells
6. Regulation of hormones

Question 9

Where in the GIT are vitamins absorbed?

Answer 9

In the small intestine

Question 10

Why is it vital to optimise GIT health when it comes to vitamins?

Answer 10

Because they are absorbed in the small intestine. The gut is the interface.

Question 11

What is the energy currency of the body?

Answer 11

ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

Question 12

What are vitamins?

Answer 12

Vitamins are carbon-containing compounds that are essential to the body in small amounts, for normal growth and function.

Question 13

Name a vitamin that the body cannot produce itself.

Answer 13

Vitamin D

Question 14

Which vitamins are vital in the process of energy (ATP) production?

Answer 14

Vitamins B1, B2, B3 & B5

Question 15

Which vitamin is essential for the production of collagen?

Answer 15

Vitamin C

Question 16

Which vitamin is needed for the synthesis of co-enzyme A (involved in ATP production)?

Answer 16

Vitamin B5

Question 17

Name the highest food source of selenium.

Answer 17

Brazil nuts

Question 18

In nature, vitamins do not occur in isolation. True or false?

Answer 18

True

Question 19

Why don’t supplements offer the same therapeutic advantages as consuming a spectrum of nutrients via food?

Answer 19

Because individual vitamins and minerals don’t occur in isolation in nature / whole food.

Question 20

What is a co-factor?

Answer 20

An essential component for enzyme activity.

Question 21

What are enzymes?

Answer 21

Enzymes are proteins that facilitate and/or accelerate chemical reactions in the body.

Question 22

Which vitamins are vital co-factors for the action of the CYP450 enzyme system, which is needed for phase 1 liver detoxification?

Answer 22

B vitamins

Question 23

Why are B vitamins often used as part of a liver detoxification programme?

Answer 23

Because they are vital co-factors in the activation of the CYP450 enzyme system, needed for phase 1 liver detox

Question 24

Which vitamins can be depleted quickest?

Answer 24

The water soluble ones - Vitamin B & C

Question 25

There are 2 types of vitamins. Name them.

Answer 25

Fat soluble - A,D,E,K | Water soluble - B,C

Question 26

_____ soluble vitamins are absorbed in the small intestine into the lymphatic capillaries and then into the blood.

Answer 26

Fat soluble.

Question 27

_____ soluble vitamins are absorbed in the small intestine directly into the blood.

Answer 27

Water soluble

Question 28

Storage of water soluble vitamins is minimal, with the exception of vitamin ____, which can be stored in the liver.

Answer 28

B12

Question 29

Explain the difference between insufficiency and deficiency.

Answer 29

Insufficiency is sub-clinical deficiency, during with we may see vague symptoms. Deficiency is the point at which we see clear clinical signs and symptoms of a deficiency.

Question 30

True vitamin deficiencies are rare, except for vitamins ___ and ___.

Answer 30

Vitamins D and B12

Question 31

Which was the first vitamin to be discovered? Is it water or fat soluble?

Answer 31

Vitamin A | Fat soluble

Question 32

Name the 3 active forms (vitamers) of vitamin A.

Answer 32

Retinol, retinal and retinoic acid

Question 33

There are 3 vitamers of vitamin A. One is retinol. What is retinol vital for?

Answer 33

The health of the retina (eye)

Question 34

There are 3 vitamers of vitamin A. One is retinal. What is retinal vital for?

Answer 34

Colour vision. The pigments in the rod and cone cells in the eye.

Question 35

There are 3 vitamers of vitamin A. One is retinoic acid. What is retinoic acid vital for?

Answer 35

Growth of key tissues, cell differentiation, DNA expression.

Question 36

Which is the most active vitamer of vitamin A?

Answer 36

Retinol

Question 37

What can be used by the body to produce retinal and retinoic acid (vitamers of vitamin A)?

Answer 37

Retinol.